Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities due to in-service noise exposure and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent.,Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is reopened, but the underlying claims are remanded due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.,PTSD remains remanded as additional examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to June 6, 2019 do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in considering evidence of military sexual trauma and a need for new VA examinations.

The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol); bilateral hearing loss disability; tinnitus; and left knee disability have been granted. The claims for PTSD were remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,An increased rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for coronary artery disease (CAD) from February 20, 2020, effective January 28, 2021, is granted. The Veteran's CAD has been rated as left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction between 30% and 50%, but not more than that.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for surgical scar, mid sternum is denied. His tinnitus claim also does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date of February 20, 2020.,An initial noncompensable rating for surgical scar, mid sternum is granted from February 20, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding the ratings and service connection for various conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss. The claims for reopening of gastritis, right lower extremity stress reaction, and left lower extremity stress reaction are also granted.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a respiratory disorder (idiopathic pulmonary hypertension), and service connection for a heart condition are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The evidence did not show a nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has denied service connection for vision condition and remanded the issues of left hip strain, left arm numbness, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and sleep problems. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his lumbosacral spine disability. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and clinical records.